Laundering apparatus



May 6, 1939. CQWLEY 1,757,417

LAUNDERING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 10, 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet l IIYVA'IVTOR g Wm Mm May 6, 1930. J. T. COWLEY LAUNDERING APPARATUS 5 Sheetsheet 2 Filed Feb. 10. 1926 M y 1930- J. T. COWLEY 1,757,417

LAUNDERING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 10, 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 J. T. COWLEY LAUNDERING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 10. 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 y 6, '1930. J. 'r. cowLEY 1,757,417

munnsnme APPARATUS Filed Feb. 10, 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 to 1, showing the apparatus in dotted lines in g. T if TES PATEN til" F F I 'C E JAMES T. COWLEY, F SYRACUSE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOB TO THE LAMSON COMPANY, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS LAUNDEBING- APPARATUS Application filed February to, was. Serial No. taste.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in laundering machines.

" The main object of the invention is the production of a machine adapted particularly for successively washing and drying clothes, and the machine is especially designed for household use in the successive w'ashing'and dr ing of delicate articles such as handkerm chiefs, silk articles, linens and the like, altho capable of general use, and one advantage of the invention resides in the production of a machine which is shiftable to differentpositions, with means for supporting the machine in either of said ositions, one of which is designed for a was ing position and the other of which is designed for a drying or extracting position.

A further advantageous feature of the apparatus resides in the mechanism for driving the perforated basket or container adapted to contain the clothes, and including means for readily effecting a variation in the speed of the container or basket to adapt it to its successive uses of washing and drying in its varied positions.

A further advantage resides in the fact that the entire driving mechanism is carried by the cover of the apparatus and is readily shiftable from its position upon the tub or vat preferably combined with means for supporting the'cover in its shifted position, at which 1t permits removal or insertion of articles treated, and if desired complete removal of the tub or perforated container or basket for the clothes, which basket is separated from connection with the driving mechanism upon removal of the cover.

. Other objects and advantages relate to the details of the structure and the association and relation of the parts thereof all as will more fully appear from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of an apparatus of this invention. I

Figure 2 is a section on line 2-2, Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectionon line 3-3, Figure tub.

its position for washing clothes contained within the basket.

Figure 4 is a section on line 4%, Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a section on line 55, Figure 3.

Figure 6 illustrates a method of connecting the cover-removing handle or rod to the cover. a

Figure 7 illustrates a modified form of structure.

Figure 8 illustrates a further modified form of structure.

, The apparatus as illustrated comprises a tiltable tub or vat --l carried by and withina frame --2- consisting in this instance of three uprights or legs -3- spaced equal distances apart and connected at a point, in this illustration midway up the side of the vat 1- by a circular rod or bar l, in

this instance of tubular form, as by clamping members 5. The circular rim ---4-- of the frame is of a diameter adapted to receive the tub and permit its removal vertically therefrom, and a rubber or other resilient cushion 6 is provided preferably one adjacent each clamping member and of a form to seat in one of the horizontal corrugations in the Wall of the tub land rest upon the tube 4.'- to assist in supporting the tub.

, The frame -2 also includes radial bars --7-- extending inwardly from the legs and connected to a central ring -8 carrying an annular gasket -9 of rubber or other suitable material within and upon which the boss 10'- secured axially to the bottom of the tub 1 rests to assist in supporting the The boss -10-- may be welded or otherwise secured to the reinforcing plate *klL-{conforming in shape to the bottom of the tub -1 and secured to the tub -1- and to a second reinforcing plate 12- arranged within the tub in any suitable manner, as by rivets -l3--. An additional reinforcing disk -1amay be provided within the plate -1)r and secured thereto in any suitable manner, as by welding or the like. The stub shaft ,-15 extends through the boss -l0--,

threaded upon the end of the shaft and adaptin the vat -1 an any suitable manner, as by nuts 16- ed to; draw and hold the shoulder -.1( upon the shaft in tight contact'with the disk The shaft 15 (projects u wardly wlthis'adapte to receive the hollowboss or bearing -.-18' which is verhas its upper end rig:

tically' disposed and o ens downwardly and y securedinany suit able manner to the ottom of the perforated clothes container or basket 19.

As here illustrated the bottom of the basket "is slightly convexat its central portion and is reinforced by the exterior late 20--- and the interior plate -21 con orming in shape to thebottom of the basket-and secured to it and to the bearing 18 in any suitable manner as by rivets 22-- or the like.

As the basket or clothes container 19-' rides during its rotary movement upon the shaft .15', the u per end of the shaft is preferably recesse to receive a hardened steel pin 23 upon which the hardened ball 24 in the bearing .18-- rests. The

stub shaft 15 constitutes the sole means for supporting the clothes container 19-, and for'that reason the bearing 18 is preferably of considerable length so that the shaft constitutes a firm, substantial support which maintains the clothes container in substantially axial alignment within the vat.

The clothes container as illustrated, is formed with a multiplicity of erforations 25- or openings in its cylin rical vertical wall, and is preferably divided into two similarl shaped portions by a diametrically dispose with a multiplicity of perforations '27- permitting communication between the two sections or portions of the clothes container.

The upper. end of the container 5-19- is turned inwardl somewhat and is formed at its edge wit a head 28 anda rod The upper edge of the vat --1-- is preferably beaded, as illustrated at -31-- and is adapted to receive a cover -32 of substantially conical form and formed with an elongated axial bearing --33.- at its apex. The

lower edge of the cover 32-- is formed with a flange 34 resting upon the upper side of the head --31 and a vertical flange 35' extendin downwardly within the upper open end 0 the vat 1--, whereby the cover is maintained in proper position with respect to the vat. A partition wall or plate partition wall ---25+also provided.

-'-95 which may, as shown, he of substantially circular outline, issecured within the conical cover 32 in any suitable manner,

ber 37- within the upper port1on of the cover. The partition wall 95 is slightlyelevated at its central portion so as to provide va surrounding annular groove, and is provided'wi-th a depending boss 38 in axial alignment with the bearing -33- at the apex of the cover. The drivlng shaft 39 is journaled in the anti-friction bearings 40- and +41 and the interposed bushing 42 disposed within the bearing -33 and the friction disk 44 is keyed to the tapered upper portion of shaft --39- and rests upon the upper surface of the bearing 40 and is secured upon the shaft by means of nut The bushing 42- may be omitted, if deas' by screws 36 so as to form a gear chants sired, and the shaft -39- journaled directly in bearing -33- which may be of a diameter suitable for the purpose.

The friction disk 44 is adapted to be driven by a friction wheel 45 mounted upon the armature shaft -46- of an electric motor 47 preferably mounted between a pair of spaced brackets 48 secured to the cover -32 in any suitable manner, as by screws 49, the friction wheel --4.5- bein maintained in driving relation with the friction disk 4;4 in any suitable manner,

as by spring -50- dis osed within the tube 51- secured in the 05$ ---52- upon the cover 32. The spring -50 tends at all times to move the motor -4 7- about its pivots 53'-- and holds the friction wheel 45 in contact with the flat friction surface at the outer portion of' the friction disk 44, the central portion of which disk is as shown, of somewhatconical form to provide a compact structure.

' The washing operation requires the use of more power than the drying operation in which the container rotates at high speedand 1y supported on the brackets and its weight removed from spring -51 so that the entire force of the spring is exerted in holding the co-operating friction surfaces together for washing, whereas in the drying operation the spring supports a considerable portion of the Wei ht of the motor.

The riot-ion disk and the friction-wheel f 120 --4;5- may be enclosed by a cap 54-- in the form of substantially half a sphere having These gears are held in position between a in tilted position of the tub the motor is large- 4 V openingsin the lower plate -60 the proecting portions being equip ed with sprin s -62- which lie between t e heads of the bolts and the plate '--60-- so as to tension the plates toward each other.

.Between the gears 57 and the plate '5 9 are positioned friction disks --63 and between the plates 60- and the gears -5'Z- are positioned the friction disk '64-, all of these parts being held in contact with adjacent parts by means of the springs 62.

The gears 57 are each formed in this illustration with a concentric integral gear 65 of comparatively small size that projects through the lower plate -60- so as to mesh with the comparatively large gear -66- mounted on the upper end of the driven shaft 67-- which is axially disposed with respect to the driving shaft -39. The upper plate 59- has a recess for receiving the anti-friction bearing -96-- mounted on the driving shaft 39 and preferably spaced from the anti-friction bearing -4lby an interposed disk.

The plate 59 is further provided with an axially projectingflange 70-- constituting a brake shoe withwhich the brake bands -71- are adapted to contact. These brake bands are preferably secured at one and upon pivot posts -72 secured to the cover 32 'and are of arcuate form extending around.

opposite sides of the drum 70 with their opposite ends spaced apart and tensioned toward eachother by means of spring 73.

Normally, therefore, the brake shoes are in tight contact with the brake drum so as to resist rotary movement of the drum and the plate -59--. Means is provided, however, for spreading the brake shoes against the tension of the spring -73-, as for instance cam 74- positioned between the free ends of the brake shoes and mounted upon a shaft 75- journaled in the cover 32 and adapted to be rocked in any suitable manner as by handle 76- to rotate the cam so as to spread the brake shoes away from the brake drum to permit free rotation of the latter, or to permit the brake shoes to be drawn into tight contact with the drum by means of spring 7 3-.

a The gear --66 rests upon anti-friction bearings -7 7 seated in a recess in the'upper portion of the boss -38-, a small friction disk being interposed between the gear and the inner ring of the anti-friction bearing, should that be desirable. 67 extends through this bearing and through bushing 78-, compressible pack- The driven shaft ing 79- within the boss or bearing -38. The rear endof the bushing 78 and the forward end of the gland -80 where they contact with the compressible packin are preferably oppositely ta ered so that t e compressible packing is o greater axial length where it contacts with the shaft than where it with the bearing -38.

The lower end of bearing --38- is preferably externally threaded for the reception of cap 81--, spring --82- being interposed between the gland -80 and the cap 81 to maintain packing 79-- in compressedcondition to provide a lubricant-tight bear- 111g.

The shaft 67 extends through the cap 8 1 and the driving fork 83- is secured upon the lower tapered end of the shaft as by means of nut 84, and the fork is keyed or splined to the shaft for simultaneous rotation. The prongs of the fork 83 are out of alignment and are adapted to fit upon opposite sides of the cross-bar 29- so that rotation of the driven shaft 67 will produce rotation of the clothes container -19.

In addition to the three vertically disposed legs -3- of the framework 2-, an additional supporting leg -90 is provided wh1ch extends laterally from the vat 1,

v and in Figures 1 and 3 is shown as formed in connection with the tube 4- extending outwardly and being inclined slightly downwardly therefrom and is ositioned at a point centrally between two of the legs 3 and in connection with the two legs with which it is centrally arranged is adapted to constitute a support for the vat, and the apparatus when moved to an inclined position, preferably at an angle of about 45 degrees to a horizontal plane, as shown in dotted lines, Figure 3. As shown, the armature shaft -46- is disposed at substantially right angles to the lateral projection of the leg or support -90 so that the armature shaft is substantially horizontal in either vertical or tilted position of the apparatus.

This inclined position of the apparatus is the washing position, and in this position the water in the tub or vat --1 is at a level above a portion of the perforations in the container -19- when the latter is stationary. When and gland -80, all arranged' contacts the machine is in vertical position shown in 7 When the cam'-74. -'isin the position v shownin Figure 4 and'the drum.-'-'-70 and shaft 39 rotates and the pinions or. gears the inclined position of the apparatus while it is resting upon two of the vertical legs. 3 and the fourth leg 90-.

plate 59- are frictionally maintained from rotary movement, the pinion -56- causes a, rotary movement of gears -57 ate somewhat lower speed than that at which the 65- integralwith gears-57 effect a rotary movement' of gear 66 and shaft +67 at a still. lower speed, and this position of the cam 74.-- is the one at which the washing operation should be performed in By turning handle 76- cam -74- spreads the brake bands or shoes so thatthey are out of contact with the drum -70 and the drum and its carrying plate -59- are free to rotate. In, this'position the friction between the gears, friction disks and #0- sition' for drying the clothes by high speed rotation .of the perforated container 19'"-. For illustration, the armature shaft '46- mayrotate at a speed of 6000 R. P. M. The

i R. P. M. This is the speed of the driven. shaft 67- .and the container 19- during friction wheel and the friction disk 4 1 are so related that the disk is given a relative speed of approximately 1000 the drying operation when the brake dru and plate -59 are free to rotate.

When the plate 59- is maintained from rotation and the driving is effected through the reduction gearing disclosed, the speed of the driven shaft as here illustrated is approximately 40 rotations per minute, and this is the speed of operation of the clothes container of the apparatus for washing purposes .in inclined position.

It will be noted that the gearing and the apparatus for driving the same is entirelly carried by the cover -32, and is separab e from the clothes container -19-,by merely the legs 3 which as shown, is. of tubular form, is extended upwardly above the vat encircling the rim 4 and is adapted to .re-.

ceive one end of a removingor supporting.

bar or rod --85 which is slidable within the tube constituting an extension of Y the leg -3.-, and is limited in its downward move-.. ment by collar -.-86-secured in desired po-I' set sition upon the handle rod 85- as by screw'-87, the position of the collar baing such as to permit seating of the cover -32 upon the-beaded open edge of the vat 1'-. The other end of rod -5' is turned downwardl and is positioned within an upwardly exten ing hollow boss 88 formed on the cover 32- and is secured to the boss in any V be removed from the vat' -1-- by"lift1ng the rod and Y may be turned away from the vat by rotation. of the rod in the extension of tube 3, and then by lowering the rod until collar '86- contacts with the upper end of the extension of the tube, the cover and driving apparatus carried thereby are supported so as to expose the entire upper open end ofthe container 19- to permit insertion or removal of clothes or the' insertion or removal of the containeritself. 1 Obviously, other mean .than the drum -70' and its brake ban sl'may be utilized forpreventing rotation of plate -59- when desired, altho the structure disclosed is deemed preferable and when the disk is held sta-' tionary, the friction disks allow the container to gradually accelerate without slowing up the motor at the start.

' In Figure 7 a modiified form of structure is shown in that the re nforcing plate or disk 11 is -made some hat larger than in (the previous figures, and-the legs -97 are secured directly to the'vat 19- of which the reinforcing plate -11 forms a part. This plate may be extended upwardly at One side so as to carry the fourth leg-91, which in connection with two of the other legs -97,

constitutes asupport for the apparatus in its inclined washing position.

In Figure 8 a further modified form of structure is illustrated-in that a triangular frame +100 is utilized having three feet the frame being open at one side and forme with upwardly opening bearings -101- on oppositesides, in which the journals orshafts +102'-' projecting diametrically from oprposite sides of the tub -1 are mounted.

. E 'iTh entire tub -1- and the container, cover, removmgthe cover, and for thepurpose of; effecting an easy removal of the coverandsupporting the same when removed, one. of;

gearing, .etc. are adapted to tilt about the ournal's 102-" on the frame 100. .This

isefiected by lifting the tub upward until on the frame to prevent further tilting move- 'ment. I .At this time or previously. tlIG' jOHT-J mile 102 will have come to restin the bearingsx-10l. The weight of the driving mechanism carried by the cover -32-- holds. I the tub in tilted position forthe washing operation. 1 1

Altho I have shown and. described a specific structuretogether with the details thereof, as constituting an at present preferred form ofthe invention, I do not desire to restrict myself to the details of the structure or the parts thereof, as various changes and modifications can be made without departin from the invention as set forth in the appen ed claims.

I claim:

1. An apparatus of the class described comprising a tub, a clothes container rotatably supported within the tub, a framework for. supporting the tub in a substantially vertical position and an additional support extending laterally from the tub and adapted to assist in supporting the apparatus in a tilted position.

2. An apparatus of the class described comprising a tub, a clothes container rotatably supported within the tub, aframework for supporting the tub in a substantially vertical position, an additional support extend- I container in either position.

ing laterally from the tub and adapted to assist in supporting the. apparatus in a tilted position, a cover for the apparatus, and mechanism carried by the cover for driving the 3. An apparatus of the class described comprising a tub, a clothes container rotatably supported within the tub, a framework for supporting the tub in a substantially vertical position, an additional sup ort extending laterally from the tub and a apted to assist in supporting the apparatus in a tilted position, a cover for the apparatus, and mechanism carried by the cover for driving the container at either of two substantially different speeds.

4. A combined washer and dryer comprising a tub, a clothes container rotatably supported within the tub, a framework comprising feet for supporting the tub in a substantially vertical osition and another foot projecting latera ly from the framework for supporting the tub framework in a tilted position.

5. A combined washer and dryer comprising a tub, a clothes container rotatably supin'its vertical position and at another speed when the tub is inclined.

7. A combined washer and dryer comprising a tub, a perforated container rotatabl supported therein, a perforated wall divi ing the container into two communicating sections and a drivingmechanism removably engiiging theupper edge of said perforated wa 8. A combined washing and drying apparatus comprisingta tub, a clothes container rotatahly supported within the tub, a framework for supporting the tub in a substantially vertical position and a foot projecting laterally from the framework above the lower end thereof adapted to support the tub in an ported withinthe tub, a frame-work for supporting the tub in a substantially vertical osition, and means for supporting the tub amework at an inclination of about degrees comprising a foot laterally projecting fromthe framework at a point above the lower end thereof. 6. A combined washer and dryer comprising a tub, a clothes container rotatably supported within the tub, a framework for sup-' porting the tub in a substantially vertical positlon, means projecting laterally from the framework above the lower end thereof for supporting the tub framework in a tilted position, and a driving mechanism capable of rotating the clothes container .at one speed 

